The Dallas Cowboys’ head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, plans to have a conversation with Micah Parsons.
This comes after the 26-year-old Edge rusher stirred up some attention during the team’s final preseason game on Friday night. Schottenheimer mentioned that he would speak with Parsons on Sunday to get to the bottom of things.
“We really need to comprehend what he’s doing and the reasoning behind it before discussing it,” Schottenheimer noted during a call with reporters on Saturday. “So, until I have that conversation, I’m not going to say much on the matter.”
The first-time head coach finds himself in the midst of unfolding events between Parsons and the Cowboys, which escalated during the team’s 31-13 win over the Falcons.
Parsons, who hasn’t played much recently due to his desire for a multi-year contract extension, was spotted munching on nachos in the halls of AT&T Stadium prior to the game. When an Atlanta fan encouraged him to join their team, he, along with two All-Pros, playfully gestured “Call Me.”
Later, during the third quarter, Parsons was seen lying on the medical table just behind the Cowboys’ bench while the offense was on the field.
Interestingly, he was the only player not wearing a jersey during the game.
Schottenheimer assured that the team would manage any internal decisions regarding Parsons’ future.
Parsons has been dealing with back issues, and this hold-in situation during training camp has further complicated matters. He underwent an MRI on Friday, but Schottenheimer mentioned that the results appeared to be “pretty clean.”
Even though Parsons first reported back tension at a minicamp in June, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones downplayed its seriousness, suggesting it was part of negotiation strategies.
Jones has stated that there are no plans to trade Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler.
The Pennsylvania native is expected to play out his $24 million rookie contract option this season, but he seems to be eyeing a deal comparable to T.J. Watt’s three-year, $133 million contract with the Steelers. Dallas also has the option to franchise tag him for the next two seasons, protecting him from free agency.
